Beneath the Yellow Tree
The Garden of the Lost was quiet tonight, its serene beauty untouched by the chaos of the city. Twinkling fairy lights wound their way through the canopies of ancient trees, casting a soft golden glow on the cobblestone pathways. The gentle rustling of leaves whispered through the air, blending with the distant chirping of crickets. A pale crescent moon hung low in the sky, illuminating the garden in silvery light, while a faint floral scent carried on the breeze.
Ed leaned against the trunk of the yellow tree, the park's centerpiece. Its sprawling branches spread like a protective canopy above him, its golden leaves shimmering in the dim light. He wore a navy-blue button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, paired with dark gray slacks that hugged his frame perfectly. His dark hair, slightly tousled, caught the glow of the nearby lamp post, giving him an effortlessly charming appearance.
He checked his watch, his fingers tapping lightly against the paper cup of coffee in his hand. His anticipation grew with every passing second.
And then he saw her.
Abigail walked toward him, her heels clicking softly against the stone path. She wore a flowing emerald-green dress that hugged her figure in all the right places, the fabric shimmering faintly with each step. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders in loose waves, framing her delicate features. A thin gold bracelet encircled her wrist, catching the light as she moved.
As she approached, her crimson lips curved into a soft smile that seemed to radiate warmth. Ed's breath caught in his chest. She wasn't just beautiful—she was mesmerizing.
Several people seated on nearby benches glanced her way, their envious gazes lingering. Abigail, however, seemed oblivious to the attention, her focus solely on the man waiting for her under the tree.
"You're staring," she said teasingly as she stopped in front of him, her voice light and playful.
Ed blinked, his ears tinged with pink. He straightened, trying to mask the effect she had on him. "Can you blame me?" he replied, his tone equally playful. "You look… stunning."
Abigail's smile widened, and she tilted her head slightly. "You're not so bad yourself," she said, her gaze sweeping over his outfit. "I see you've dressed up for once."
Ed chuckled, gesturing to the bench beneath the tree. "Shall we?"
They sat side by side, the golden leaves above them rustling softly in the wind. For a moment, neither spoke, content to bask in the calm ambiance of the garden. The fairy lights cast a soft glow on Abigail's face, highlighting her radiant features.
"How was your day?" Ed asked, breaking the silence.
Abigail leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. "Busy. I had an interview earlier, which was… exhausting, to say the least. But it went well."
Ed nodded, his gaze never leaving her. "You're handling all of this better than most people would. If I were in your shoes, I'd be a wreck."
Abigail let out a soft laugh, the sound like music to his ears. "Trust me, I'm a wreck most of the time. I just hide it well."
Her smile, though faint, made his heart skip a beat. There was something about the way she carried herself—graceful yet vulnerable—that pulled him in.
As the evening deepened, a light breeze stirred the leaves, sending a cascade of golden petals fluttering to the ground. The moment felt almost surreal, like something out of a dream.
"You're quiet," Abigail said, glancing at Ed.
He shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Just thinking."
"About what?"
Ed hesitated, then met her gaze. "How lucky I am to know you."
Abigail's eyes widened slightly, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. She looked away, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're too kind," she said softly.
As the conversation shifted, Ed decided it was time to bring up the subject that had been weighing on his mind. "Abigail," he began, his tone more serious, "there's something I need to tell you."
She turned to him, her expression curious. "What is it?"
He pulled out his phone and handed it to her, showing her a set of photos. They were images of Gia entering a grand estate, though her face was partially obscured by sunglasses and a scarf.
"These were taken by the private investigator I hired," Ed explained. "The house she's entering belongs to Helen Vicker."
Abigail's brows furrowed as she studied the photos. "Helen Vicker? The Helen Vicker?"
Ed nodded. "I haven't confirmed it yet, but… I think Gia is her daughter."
Abigail's grip on the phone tightened, her mind racing. Helen Vicker was a name that carried immense weight in the industry—a woman known for her influence, cunning, and ability to destroy reputations with a single word.
For a moment, fear flickered in Abigail's chest. But then, just as quickly, it was replaced by determination. She handed the phone back to Ed, her expression calm. "We'll deal with it when the time comes," she said firmly. "For now, let them make their move. It'll be easier to counter them when we know what they're planning."
Ed frowned, concern etched across his features. "Abigail, we can't underestimate them. The Vickers aren't just powerful—they're ruthless. If Gia figures out what you did—"
"She won't," Abigail interrupted, her tone steady. "I've covered my tracks. Trust me, Ed, this isn't my first time playing this game."
Ed studied her carefully, his worry deepening. Despite her calm demeanor, he couldn't shake the feeling that she was hiding something.
"How did you post that video anonymously?" he asked, his voice quiet but probing.
Abigail smiled faintly, her gaze drifting to the leaves above them. "Don't worry about it," she said cryptically.
Ed's stomach tightened. He wanted to press further but decided against it. For now, he'd let it go.
As the evening wore on, the garden grew quieter, the soft hum of the city fading into the background. Abigail glanced at Ed, her expression softening.
"You've been a good friend to me," she said suddenly.
Ed blinked, caught off guard by her words. "I'm just doing what anyone would do."
"No," Abigail said, shaking her head. "Not everyone would go this far. You're… different."
Her words sent a warm, unfamiliar sensation through him. He wasn't sure what to say, so he simply smiled.
What neither of them realized was that the bond between them was deepening, one quiet moment at a time.
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